Hoisting eye with tripping arrangement



March 24, 1959 F. RIEDESSER HOISTING EYE WITH TRIPPING ARRANGEMENT Filed Fb. 15. 1954 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNE March 24, 1959 F. RIEDESSER HOISTING EYE mm TRIPPING ARRANGEMENT Filed Feb. 15,

INVENTOR ATTORNEY 4 Sheets-Sheat 2 xx. z I.

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HOISTING EYE WITH TRIPPING ARRANGEMENT March 24, 1959 Filed Feb. 15.

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 TEE E:- .7

INVENTOR PM W M50585 .0?

March 24, 1959 F. RIEDESSER HOISTING EYE WITH TRIPPING ARRANGEMENT 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Feb. 15. 1954 w m I FRANZ r'wmfssfk A'ITORN United States Patent HOISTING EYE WITH TRIPPING ARRANGEMENT Franz Riedesser, Baienfurt, Wurttemberg, Germany, as-

signor to Papierfabrik Baienfurt A.G., Baienfurt, Wurttemberg, Germany Application February 15, 1954, Serial No. 410,313 Claims priority, application Germany February 18, 1953 8 Claims. (Cl. 294-83) This invention relates to a hoisting eye with a tripping arrangement and intended more particularly for hoisting and conveying machinery.

An object of the invention is to enable automatic release or opening of the eye when the load is set down.

Hitherto it has been necessary, after the load is set down, to release it from the suspension eye or hook manually or by special devices. This procedure is particularly troublesome if the load has to be set down in a difiicultly accessible place, such as down a shaft or at the bottom of a ships hold. In such circumstances the release is usually affected by rods or ropes or other means of remote control, which implies additional expenditure of time, labor and. gear.

Hoisting eyes are of course known in which the gripping elements are released by spring tension when the load is set down. These hoisting eyes have the disadvantage that attachment of the load for hoisting is difficult because the gripping elements or arms have to be pulled down with considerable force to overcome the tension of the aforesaid springs, in order to be hooked round the hoisting sling or chain or ring.

According to another known arrangement, the twin hooks of a hoisting eye have a tendency to open by the pull of the load but are prevented from doing so by a lever-controlled forelock on the slide, which, however, may he accidentally released, when the load is dropped. Contrary to this, the arrangement according to the present invention otters the advantage that the gripping elements or arms or hooks only open automatically when the load is set down; there is no danger, particularly when lowering, of the release lever or its controlling means being prematurely actuated by impact or by jamming, so leading to premature opening of the arrangement and dropping of the load. The invention refers to a hoisting eye with tripping means embodying a number not less than two of mutually opposed gripping elements together forming a hoisting eye, one or more of these members being in the form of a two-armed lever hinged to a carrying element or block having a slidable locking element vertically movable in the block and pressed by a spring into theopening position of the gripping elements, with, in addition, a disconnectable element for'raising the slidable locking element into the closing position of the gripping elements against the force of the spring.

According to the invention the lever gripping elements are provided with lugs or stops on which the slidable locking element acts and elfects, by the force of a com pression spring linked on the one hand to the said slidable locking element and .on the other hand to the carrying element or block, the automatic opening of the hoisting eye.

Another feature of the invention is a tripping element consisting of a tumbler turnable in the carrying block which tumbler when turned in a particular direction moves the locking element against the force of the compression spring and towards the end stopsof the gripping ice thus cause the other ends of the said grips to close and form the hoisting eye.

In order to relieve the locking element when theload comes to bear, the invention provides for the motion of the tumbler to be so adjusted that in the closed position a small clearance remains between the locking element and the block, in such manner that when the load comes to bear the block bears on the locking element and the tumbler is relieved.

A suitable handle for actuating the tumbler is provided. This handle is so formed that when the tumbler is relieved it falls automatically, by its own weight or by the action of a pre-loaded spring, into its initial position. The invention further provides for the gripping elements to be equipped with lugs or stops suitably projecting through openings into the space provided for the motion of the locking element and so arranged that the spring pressure exerted through such locking element supplies a turning moment to the gripping elements tending to open the hoisting eye.

Preferably the initial loading of the spring is effected by a sleeve screwing into the block, against which the compression spring abuts. In some embodiments of the invention, it may be found desirable to prevent the eye from opening immediately when relieved of the load.

1 For this purpose, a forelock is provided for holding the elements sufficiently'to cause the latter to move apart and tumbler or the operating handle in the closed position.

The invention atiords a considerable saving in time and labor. The loading and unloading of transport vehicles and craft and the servicing of difiicultly accessible spaces is materially simplified by the invention. The hoisting eye according to the invention with tripping arrangement includes only simple structural elements, is thus cheap to manufacture and is reliable in operation even in unfavorable circumstances.

The accompanying drawing shows by way of example one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a view of the illustrated tripping eye in the open position in section along 1--1 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 2 is a section along 22 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 represents the tripping eye in the closed position not under load partly in front view and partly in section along 33 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 4 is a section along 44 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a view comparable to Fig. 4, but showing an arrangement of spring means for insuring release of the tumbler when the load is released, the view illustrating the conditions when the hoist is not under load;

' Fig. 6 is a view similar to the view shown in Fig. 5 illustrating the hoisting eye under conditions of load and wherein a clearance gap exists between the lower bearing surface of the locking element and the flat locking surface of the cam surface of the tumbler;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to the view shown in Fig. 6 but illustrating the next succeeding step in the operation of the structure and showing particularly the manner in which the spring means assists in effecting release of the tumbler;

Fig. 8 is a vertical sectional view through the hoisting eye with certain of the parts shown in vertical section illustrating the hoisting eye under conditions of load similar to the showing in Fig. 6, and indicating particularly the clearance gap between the lower bearing surface of the locking element and the flat locking surface of the cam surface of the tumbler, the view being taken substantially on line 8-8 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 9--9 of Fig. 8 with certain of the parts shown in elevation, the view depicting the hoisting eye under conditions of load, similar to the showing in Fig.6;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view illustrating one of the applications of the hoisting eye of my invention; and

Fig. 11 is a perspective view showing another application of the hoisting eye of my invention.

1 indicates the carrying element or the block in which the gripping elements 5, 6 are supported on hinge joints 2, 3. These elements have at their free ends the lugs or stops 7, 8 and are so shaped at their other ends 9, 10 that in the closed position they form an eye 11 (Fig. 3) from which the load can be suspended as represented at 11a in Figs. and 6. Further, the elements have between their ends 7, 9 and 8, 10, lugs or stops 13, 14.

The block 1 has between the gripping elements 5, 6 a slidable locking element 16. This is rigidly connected with hoisting means 17, e.g. a lifting hook 17a and hoist chain 17b. The hoisting means 17 connects to the vertically slidable locking element 16 through connecting member 20. The shank of this hook is surrounded by a sleeve or spring housing 18 screwing into the block 1, this sleeve containing a compression spring 19 which abuts at the one end against the interior end of said sleeve and at the other end against a part of the hoisting means 17 such as shoulder 170 on connecting member 21?.

The block 1 is fitted with a shank pin 27 carrying a tumbler 26. The reciprocating motion of the locking element 16 is permitted by an oblong slot 28 therein. The tumbler 26 is equipped with a handle 29 which when moved in the direction of the arrow P (Fig. 2) turns the tumbler.

'30 denotes the cam face of the tumbler 26, 31 a locking fiat on the cam profile, 32 is a clearance gap, and 33 the lower bearing surface of the locking element.

The action of the arrangement is as follows: In the initial position, shown in Figs. '1 and 2, the handle 29 is in lower end position, in which the tumbler 26 is clear of the locking element 16, allowing the latter to move down into contact with the stops 13, 14 of the gripping elements 5, 6. By the action of the precompressed spring 19, the locking element holds the gripping elements apart in the open position. The upper end of the locking element 16 is now under the end stops 7, 8 of the gripping elements which are in the position assumed when the hoisting eye is open.

After bringing the load tackle between the jaws 9, 10, the handle 29 is moved upwards in the direction of the arrow P while the locking element 16 moves along the cam track 30 upwards until its assumes the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, i.e. until the face 33 of the locking element bears on the flat 31 of the tumbler.

During this displacement of the locking element 16 the end stops 7, 8 of the gripping elements 5, 6 are pressed apart, outwards, so that the lower ends 9, 10, close to form the hoisting eye 11. At the same time the spring 19 is further compressed, by which means the tumbler 26 is held in the closing position. In this position, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4 a small gap or clearance 32 is left between the upper edges of the locking element 16 and the block 1.

If the load is now lifted, the hoisting element 17 with the attached locking element 16 and the block 1 will move apart, overcoming the initial loading of the spring, i.e. the block 1 will move relatively to the locking element, travelling through the distance 32. This will cause the bearing faces 31 and 33 to move apart, releasing the tumbler 26.

The tumbler can now fall back by its own weight, into the initial position. To ensure execution of this releasmg motion, a spring 35 may be interposed between the tumbler 26 and the block 1 by securing means 36 as shown in Figs. 5-7.

The locking element is now free to move in the openmg direction. When the load represented at 11a .is set down, i.e. when the tension between the hoisting element or the locking element and the block 1 on the suspended load ceases, a return stroke of the locking element is initiated by the pre-compressed spring 19. The block 1 and the locking element 16 now move towards each other 4 and when the locking element strikes the stops 13, 14 the locking element 16 is freed for entry of the end stops 7, 8 and the eye 11 opens automatically.

Since it is necessary for the initial compression of the spring 19 to be less than the value of the hoisted load, the spring is adjustable by means of the screwed sleeve or spring housing 18. The spring thus resiliently supports and cushions the hoisted load.

In Figs. 5-7 I have shown the manner in which cam or tumbler 26 is released and the cam or tumbler 26 permitted to tumble out of loading position when a'load is hoisted. Fig. 5 shows the tumbler or cam 26 in its upper position; Fig. 6 shows the cam or tumbler 26 as the load is hoisted and with the gap between bearing faces 31 and 33; while Fig. 7 shows the manner in which the tumbler gravitates to released position assisted both by the spring 35 connected to block or carrying element 1 and bearing against the cam face 30 of tumbler 26. The variations I have shown in the convolutions of spring 19 are determined by the adjustment of screw threaded sleeve or spring housing 13, screw threaded into block 1 and the conditions of the load and the hoist procedure. The cam or tumbler 26 may either gravitate to released position or be moved by biasing spring 35 to released position when the gap exists as represented at 32 in Fig. 6, or the tumbler 26 may gravitate to released position under the proportioned mass of the manual control member 29 as shown in Fig. 7.

Fig. 8 illustrates in elevational and vertical section the relationship of the parts of the hoisting eye under conditions of load where the vertically slidable locking element 16 directly contacts the interior of the top portion of the block or carrying element 1 for lifting the load with the end stops 7 and 8 of the levers extending from elements 5 and 6 extending through the diametrically opposite apertures 38 and 39 of block '1 and slidably engaging the locking element 16 for forcing the jaws 9 and 10 of the eye into abutting relation. Under these conditions the intermediate projections 13 and 14 of the elements 5 and 6 are directly aligned with each other through diametrically disposed apertures 40 and 41 in the block 1 preparatory to engagement by locking element 16 when the load is gravitated to a release position and preparatory to opening of the hoisting eye 11 by freeing of the obstruction ofiered by locking element 16 and permitting the levers of elements 5 and 6 to move over the top of the locking element 16 through the spaces provided by diametrically aligned apertures 38 and 39.

Fig. 9 shows more clearly the small gap or clearance 32 which exists between the flat bearing surfaces 31 and i 13 dwhen the hoisting eye operates under condition of In Figs. 10 and 11 I have shown applications of the hoisting eye of my invention. In Fig. 10 the load of logs 42 is being raised and a pair of hoisting eyes shown at 43 and 44 are arranged to grip the cable 45 which loops around the load and which terminates at 46 in a hoisting plate 47 suspended from a cable 48. In Fig. 10 a single hoisting eye 49 has been shown, suspending a load 50 by means of the chain represented at 11a where the hoisting eye is suspended by the lift hook 17a engaged by the hoisting chain 17b. When the loads are lowered to a position of rest the elements 5 and 6 of the hoisting eye, in each instance, separate or move apart aultjclamatically, thus freeing the load from the suspension ca es.

While I have described my invention in certain preferred embodiments I realize that modifications may be made and I desire that it be understood that no limitatrons upon my invention are intended other than may be imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

What'I claim is:

1. hoisting eye for loads which automatically opens on setting down the load, comprising a hoisting element, a block having a hollow tubular portion constituting a carrying element supported by said hoisting element, a pair of mutually opposed elements centrally pivoted at diametrically opposed positions on the exterior of said carrying element and having the lower ends thereof movable from a spread position into contacting relation to form a load-engaging means and terminating at the upper ends in levers directed toward each other, a vertically slidable locking element axially slidable concentrically within the hollow tubular portion of said carrying e1ement, a connecting member extending between the upper end of said vertically slidable locking element and the lower end of said hoisting element and vertically movable within the upper part of the hollow tubular portion of said carrying element, a shoulder on said connecting member in a position displaced from said locking element, said hollow tubular portion of said carrying element being apertured on opposite sides thereof for the entry of the ends of said levers therethrough into a path of movement establishing contacting relation with the sides and top of said vertically slidable locking element whereby movement of said vertically slidable locking element correspondingly controls the movement of said pair of mutually opposed elements about the pivots thereof on said carrying element, a spring housing apertured at the upper end thereof for the passage of said hoisting element, means for mounting said spring housing on the top of said carrying element with said hoisting element extending therethrough, spring means disposed in said spring housing in a position interposed between the upper end of the interior of said spring housing and the shoulder on the connecting member of said hoisting element for biasing said slidable locking element downwardly and providing entry space between the upper end of said locking element and the interior of the upper end of said tubular portion of said carrying element for moving said levers to a position spreading the lower terminating ends of said pair of elements, said locking element under conditions of load being displaced upwardly against the action of said spring means for ejecting said levers and moving the lower ends of said pair of elements into load-engaging position, and means for locking said pair of elements in load-engaging position.

2. A hoisting eye for loads as set forth in claim 1 in which the means for locking said pair of elements in load-engaging position consists of a tumbler pivotally mounted in the power portion of said carrying element having a cam surface thereon for engaging said locking element.

3. A hoisting eye for loads as set forth in claim 1 in which said locking means consists of a tumbler pivotally positioned in the lower portion of said carrying element, and wherein the surface of said tumbler is a cam so proportioned that in the closed position of the eye a small gap is left between the upper surface of the locking element and the carrying element so that when the load becomes effective the carryingelement raises said locking element from said means for locking said pair of elements in load-engaging position and said tumbler is relieved of load.

4. A hoisting eye for loads as set forth in claim 1 in which said means for locking said pair of elements in load-engaging position is a tumbler pivotally positioned in the lower portion of said carrying element, said tumbler having a cam surface thereon terminating in a flat surface engageable beneath and adapted to support said locking element, and in which a manual control member is provided to operate said tumbler, said manual control member having such distributed mass that when the tumbler is relieved of load, the manual control member is automatically gravitated by its own weight for moving the cam surface of the tumbler out of engaged position with said locking element.

5. A hoisting eye for loads as set forth in claim 1 in which said means for locking said pair of elements in load-engaging position is a tumbler pivotally mounted in the lower portion of said carrying element, said tumbler having a cam surface thereon terminating in a flat surface engageable beneath and adapted to support said locking element and in which a manual control member is provided to operate said tumbler, said manual control member having such distributed mass that when the tumbler is relieved of load the manual control member is automatically gravitated by its own weight for moving the cam surface out of engaged position with said locking element, and spring means interposed between said carrying element and said tumbler for urging said manual control member to a gravitated position.

6. A hoisting eye for loads as set forth in claim 1 in which said means for locking said pair of elements in load-engaging position is a tumbler pivotally positioned in the lower portion of said carrying element, said tumbler having a cam surface thereon terminating in a flat surface engageable beneath and adapted to support said locking element, and spring means interposed between the interior surface of one side of said carrying element and said tumbler for biasing said tumbler to a position displaced from engagement of said cam surface with said locking element.

7. A hoisting eye for loads as set forth in claim 1 in which said carrying element contains additional apertures therein and wherein said pair of mutually opposed elements are provided with intermediate projections extendible through said additional apertures into the path of movement of the locking element, and wherein the spring means for biasing said locking element exerts a force movement on said pair of mutually opposed elements to effect the spreading of the lower terminating ends of said elements when the load on said elements is released.

8. A hoisting eye for loads as set forth in claim 1 in which the means for mounting said spring housing on the top of said carrying element consists of screw-threads formed on the end of said housing and mating screw threads formed on the top of said carrying elements whereby said spring housing may be adjustably screwed into and out of the top of said carrying element for correspondingly controlling the effective tension of the spring means disposed in said spring housing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 524,696 Abbott et al. Aug. 21, 1894 720,078 Smith et al. Feb. 10, 1903 768,253 Watson Aug. 23, 1904 1,742,767 Hughes Jan. 7, 1930 2,493,949 Donahue Jan. 10, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 27,782 Sweden Feb. 3, 1909 

